New T1DM here

[danielmg]

Good afternoon guys.

I am newly diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes (on Halloween night no less), and was just hoping if anyone could kindly point me in the right direction of any additional/useful information to help with this.

I have started to read alot of info. from the Diabetes UK website, which was been really helpful so far. I guess I'm just looking for any extra support to improve my chances of best managing the condition and get involved with the community.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Daniel
25yrs old

 

[Northerner]

Good afternoon guys.

I am newly diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes (on Halloween night no less), and was just hoping if anyone could kindly point me in the right direction of any additional/useful information to help with this.

I have started to read alot of info. from the Diabetes UK website, which was been really helpful so far. I guess I'm just looking for any extra support to improve my chances of best managing the condition and get involved with the community.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Daniel
25yrs old

Hi Daniel, welcome to the forum 🙂 Sorry to hear about your diagnosis - how did it come about? What a night to get diagnosed! 😱 The good news is that it's nowhere near as scary as it once was. Treatments and knowledge are improving all the time, so if you are going to get diagnosed, right now is the best time for it (if you see what I mean!).

I would highly recommend getting yourself a copy of the excellent Type 1 Diabetes in Children Adolescents and Young People by Ragnar Hanas - really the best book for covering all aspects of living with Type 1. Just browsing it will introduce you to many of the ins and outs, and every aspect is explained in very accessible language, it's not a textbook 🙂

What insulin regime have you been given? Although there is a very steep learning curve to begin with take your time and make sure everything is explained clearly to you - if you do have any questions or concerns there are plenty of people here who will be happy to help out. It does need a bit of extra planning, but there's no reason it should stop you from doing whatever you want to do (there are just one or two professions who don't allow people on insulin, but it is becoming more accepted with each passing year - you can even become a commercial pilot these days should you so wish, something that was barred when I was diagnosed 9 years ago.

I look forward to hearing more from you 🙂

 

[danielmg]

Hi Northener,

Yes, thankfully as you say there are developments and advances in new treatments being made all of the time. I am particularly interested in the new flash glucose monitoring systems that have become available via the NHS, however I will have to wait for the trust I am within to adopt these monitors first. It would be helpful to know before changing BG testing methods if this new testing option is as valid and reliable as finger-prick testing.

I am currently starting with the basal-bolus method, and working with the nurses/doctors to get the correct insulin doses. My blood glucose levels have been consistently high, and especially with the initial 'honeymoon effect' I have heard about, it could take a while to get these to a stable level.

Thank you for the book recommendation, I will certainly look into buying this in the near future. I've found the carbs and cals app (recommended by my dietician) very helpful as well, in terms of easily logging my BG results, insulin doses, and meals throughout the day.

 

[Radders]

Hi Daniel and welcome. I have found out most of what works for me on forums.
With regard to the Libre, I am a fan, and fund it myself. I don’t think it is a replacement for finger prick testing, it is a supplement, giving loads of additional information about what my levels are doing 24 hours a day. I would not trust the Libre reading to work out a correction and it can’t be relied on before driving, for example.

 

[HOBIE]

Welcome Daniel 🙂. Good luck with things & believe it or not as time goes by you do learn.

 

[danielmg]

Hi Radders,

Thank you for your message. That's great to hear; I thinks as well that everyone sharing their experiences and passing along advice to both new and long-time T1 patients can only be beneficial to the community. I would agree with you on that. Although I have a limited understanding of the new Libre Freestyle monitors at this time, I see it as an additional/intermediate testing option, and not a complete replacement for the well established and reliable finger prick testing.

Thank you HOBIE, I am confident I can learn something new everyday via the forum and online community.

 

[danielmg]

In regards to the book Northener recommended (post above), does anyone know if this available in pdf/online format for download?

Thank you.

 

[trophywench]

Main thing about he Libre Daniel is, it doesn't actually test BG! It tests the interstitial fluid under the top surface of our skin, then the reader is programed with an algorithm that converts to more or less what your actual blood glucose should be according to the algorithm.

I had a 'test' one to try for a month and still BG tested as per normal too, and the Libre bore no resemblance whatever to the BG readings on my trusted, insulin pump, meter. Further thy were not consistently 'out' either one way or the other, in order to try and make a comparison. I think I was unlucky though - cos most seem to get far more consistent results.

 

[Northerner]

In regards to the book Northener recommended (post above), does anyone know if this available in pdf/online format for download?

Thank you.

Unfortunately, no - it's only available as a physical book.

 

[Bloden]

Hi there, Daniel, and welcome.🙂 Sorry to hear about your diagnosis. Sounds like you’re keen to learn and meet other diabetic folks - you’re off to a great start!😛

The Libre seemed pretty useless to me at first, like Trophywench, cos it was so completely out of range compared to my BG meter. But nowadays, I attach a sensor and wait 24 hours to activate it and it gives much more realistic readings...in fact, it’s given me a massive confidence boost! We’re all different, but it’s worth giving it a go.🙂

 

[Bloden]

Unfortunately, no - it's only available as a physical book.

I so wish they’d produce a Kindle version - it’s a great lump of a thing.

 

[grovesy]

I found it easy to read despite it's size.

 

[Northerner]

I so wish they’d produce a Kindle version - it’s a great lump of a thing.

If you click on Type 1 Diabetes in Children Adolescents and Young People then scroll down to 'Product details' there's a link at the right-hand side of the screen 'Tell the Publisher' - click on that and it marks the book out as something you'd like to see on Kindle 🙂 If they get enough, maybe they can be persuaded! 🙂

 

[Bloden]

If you click on Type 1 Diabetes in Children Adolescents and Young People then scroll down to 'Product details' there's a link at the right-hand side of the screen 'Tell the Publisher' - click on that and it marks the book out as something you'd like to see on Kindle 🙂 If they get enough, maybe they can be persuaded! 🙂

Ta, Northie.🙂 I the meantime, I’ll just keep parking my book in the garage (it’s that big!).🙄

 

[danielmg]

Hi there, Daniel, and welcome.🙂 Sorry to hear about your diagnosis. Sounds like you’re keen to learn and meet other diabetic folks - you’re off to a great start!😛

The Libre seemed pretty useless to me at first, like Trophywench, cos it was so completely out of range compared to my BG meter. But nowadays, I attach a sensor and wait 24 hours to activate it and it gives much more realistic readings...in fact, it’s given me a massive confidence boost! We’re all different, but it’s worth giving it a go.🙂

Thank you for the welcome Bloden, and for the insight into the Freestyle Libre. I hope in time, providing it becomes available via the NHS), that I could use this as an additional monitor between my main BG tests before each meal. The ease of using the Libre sounds very appealing, and would certainly be a useful addition to my routine.

 

[trophywench]

The copy my DSN had on her bookcase was marginally bigger length and width wise than an ordinary paperback, but not as many pages even though printed on better quality paper!

 

[Vince_UK]

Hi Daniel and Welcome to ths forum. Sorry to hear about your diagnosis I was diagnosed as T2 on Sept 29th and was scared witless so I empathise with you.
Without this forum and the terrific people on it I would still be hopelessly floundering.
AlI can say is never, ever be afraid to ask any questions whatsoever.
The people here are a treasure trove of experience and knowledge that is immeasurable and invaluable.
People here will go out of their way to help and advise.
You will be fine and always think positive.🙂

 

[danielmg]

Hi Daniel and Welcome to ths forum. Sorry to hear about your diagnosis I was diagnosed as T2 on Sept 29th and was scared witless so I empathise with you.
Without this forum and the terrific people on it I would still be hopelessly floundering.
AlI can say is never, ever be afraid to ask any questions whatsoever.
The people here are a treasure trove of experience and knowledge that is immeasurable and invaluable.
People here will go out of their way to help and advise.
You will be fine and always think positive.🙂

Thank you for the positive welcome and words Vince. I've had a lot of very good help already from the forum members, which has certainly helped since my diagnosis.